Dave McCann
Dave was 15 when he began writing, singing, playing and producing his life eperiences with the guitar in Arizona's 'valley of the sun'.
Soon he started to carry the title of "professional musical performer" and it was great - hanging and playing with Waylon at JD's, Vegas and just around - as another up and comer of the day - but Dave had been losing his eyesight and the blindness was total by age 21.
Challenged by this new title (blind) he continued to perform, recorded in Nashville and toured from Alaska to broke in the Midwest by 1976. The title "insulin dependent diabetic" had been added somewhere along the way together with married and two sons Joe and Matt, so David decided to stay closer to home and enjoy the titles of husband and father, while performing out and attending college. He also built and operated a small recording studio during this time and created "Brother Noise" a musical satire character.
In 1986 Dave became involved with H.A.P.P.I. (Handicap Artists and Performing Partners, Inc) first showcase and traveled often to LA. Dave's work had already earned him a 'little otto' so was very surprized when he was given HAPPI's Lifetme Achievement Award in 2005. He felt extremely honored.
1988 found the McCann family moving to central Oregon to a unique little rural community called Crooked River Ranch about one hour from Bend. Maps will locate Bend for you, but not CRR - which is defintely worth finding without one. On the 'ranch', Dave continued to challenge life by learning the operational skills for one of the first talking computers. He wrote 2 screenplays while his heart continued to play tunes with versatile and talented people thru out the high-desert area.
So, even with the titles of "blind" - "insulin diabetic" as a "professinal musical performer" it's not too bad for this fellow who writes and palys music when he wants, is educated, traveled, ran his own business, took up the world of screenplays and computers who is enjoying family in a interactive wonderful community with his 1st CD about to be released does it ?
2000 - new title "End Stage Renal Failure Patient" was added.
Hell ! He didn't write anything titled "Dialysis or Die".
The decision to undergo dialysis was not an easy one for Dave having struggled with daily dependncy issues for years, but 5 years later (in 2005) you find him back from another HAPPI showcase, working on his Mandolin skills and learning the demanding Concertina. A radio show on the new KPOV community station was in place and a Chautauqua video to start. Six songs were "rough-cut" for a 3rd CD (Country Shadows), while THE UNIVERSAL CHILD cd was ready to market.
On May 19, 2005 David W. McCann died suddenly at his CRR home from a blood clot in his brain. It had taken over 5 years to complete THE UNIVERSAL CHILD, between diaylysis treatments, failing voice, performing and other life committments.
The importance of THE UNIVERSAL CHILD to Dave can not be expressed in words other than his own. He wasn't afraid of death anymore than he was afraid to live life. He did "sing to the song" and "played to the music" ... as long as he could. Dave wanted to hear your smile.